Slashed fees prompts higher numbers for Kiwanis Club

"We had a lot of good people express interest in joining," only to back out once learning about the $150 cost, recounts long-time member and past president Harley Bloom. "It was definitely a stumbling block."

Even after reducing the fee to $100, the charge still provided a challenge for some potential participants, he says, a tough blow for those wanting to help the east-end community.

Since waiving the fee, membership numbers have jumped from a dozen to 20 for the Orléans chapter, Bloom continues. But joining the group isn't without obligation now that the financial aspect has been removed, he stresses, pointing to the required 25 hours per year of volunteer work each member must put in.

As part of an international body, initially membership fees went in part to the organization as a whole, Bloom recounts, based on a per-member charge. "The idea is that there's strength in numbers," he explains, as well as the added bonus of working under the banner of a globally recognized, respected name.

Now, those costs are dealt with internally, Bloom says, while a meeting space rental charge – another source for membership fees – has also been eliminated.

With many service clubs across the board encountering recruitment issues, the abolishment of membership fees seemed even more logical, Bloom suggests, stressing the club is still looking for dedicated, committed members.

What the Kiwanis Club does "is good stuff," he adds. "I don't want to see the club end up in trouble."

Waiving those costs "was a very good idea," continues Mark Leahy, one of the Orléans chapter's more recent members. "Sometimes there's resistance to paying to join a service club like this."

The fee structure wasn't the only adjustment recently experienced by the east-end Kiwanis chapter, however, Bloom adds.

Instead of weekly dinner meetings – meaning another charge for members to eat out – the group has committed to once-monthly get-togethers and upped their number of hands-on community projects to one a month as well, Bloom says.

The club – known best for its Adventure Playground at Millennium Park and Skreamers Halloween event – will continue to play a role in the community's development and future, he explains, including ongoing fundraising efforts to add items like BBQs and picnic tables to the playground. For more information on the Orléans Kiwanis Club, please visit www.orleanskiwanis.com